India playing strategic role in early 6G discussions: GSMA's Vivek Badrinath
NEW DELHI: London-based GSMA said that high spectrum prices could slow down network investment by telecom carriers, and said that industry's current focus remains on realising the full potential of 5G and 5GA. In an interaction with ETTelecom's Muntazir Abbas, GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath, talks on GSMA Open Gateway, spectrum pricing, 5G expansion, 5G-Advanced, Artificial Intelligence (AI), next generation (6G) technology, and non-terrestrial services. Edited excerpts.
What are the top 2-3 immediate priority areas for GSMA currently?
One of my immediate priorities is addressing the usage gap - nearly 3 billion people live within mobile broadband coverage but remain unconnected. Tackling it requires a mix of affordable devices, relevant content, digital skills, and enabling regulation. We are also scaling industry-wide initiatives like GSMA Open Gateway, which makes it easier for developers to innovate by opening up operator networks through standardised APIs. For example,
Reliance Jio
is using GSMA Open Gateway to spot and prevent fraud through the SIM Swap API. And as AI brings exciting opportunities, we're focused on ensuring networks are ready to support it; that we democratise access to AI tools across the industry; and that the technology serves the mobile ecosystem to best effect. We do this through initiatives like GSMA Open-Telco LLM Benchmarks, which evaluates AI models to ensure that they are optimised for accuracy, efficiency and safety in telecom use cases.
GSMA believes that spectrum pricing worldwide should come down. But, governments follow a regulatory process and it may impact their revenues. Your comments?
We fully recognise that spectrum is a valuable natural resource and that governments must weigh fiscal priorities. However, there's clear evidence that high spectrum prices can slow network investment and impact coverage - especially in rural and low-income areas. Our latest GSMA Global Spectrum Pricing Report shows that global cumulative spectrum costs now account for 7% of operator revenues - a 63% increase over the past ten years. That kind of burden has long-term consequences for connectivity and digital inclusion. Getting pricing and licensing conditions right isn't just about industry sustainability; it's about enabling innovation, economic growth, and better services for consumers. We advocate for policies that take the broader view - where well-designed spectrum awards more value for societies than short-term revenue maximisation.
What are the new frequency bands you suggest for 5G expansion in Asia, and particularly in India?
The success of 5G - and especially 5G-Advanced - depends on access to a balanced mix of low-, mid-, and high-band spectrum. In Asia, and in India particularly, the upper 6 GHz band offers strong potential. It strikes the right balance between coverage and capacity and has been identified at WRC-23 as a key candidate band for IMT in many parts of the world. The mmWave 26 GHz band is also essential - especially for ultra-high throughput use cases in dense urban and industrial settings. Making these bands available under investment-friendly conditions will be key to unlocking the full economic and societal benefits of 5G.
Lately, mobile carriers are embracing AI at edge. What according to GSMA are the real benefits that AI can drive for end users?
AI is becoming integral to the mobile experience - and edge deployment brings it closer to users, enabling faster, smarter, and more personalised services. For consumers, this means better performance and new applications in areas like health, transport, and education. For operators, it's about building more efficient, intelligent networks. As an industry, we must ensure this next wave of AI innovation is secure, interoperable, and developed responsibly. That's where GSMA plays a key role - by fostering cross-industry collaboration, open standards, and policy frameworks that support both innovation and trust. A recent example is the GSMA Responsible AI Roadmap, which outlines actionable steps to support the ethical and inclusive deployment of AI across the mobile ecosystem.
There has been a fair share debate from OTT players. What according to you can be the best approach for the telecom regulator in India, and those globally?
We believe in a balanced and collaborative approach. OTT players and mobile operators both benefit from - and contribute to - the digital ecosystem. There are growing concerns around the sustainability of network investment. Regulators should ensure a level playing field that encourages ongoing infrastructure development, while fostering innovation and consumer choice. Transparent, future-ready frameworks are essential and that includes considering fair contribution models and shared responsibility for network resilience.
What are the key challenges and benefits for 5G-Advanced. By when do you expect it to pick up?
The primary challenge in delivering 5G-Advanced (5GA) are the upgrades needed to infrastructure, but it represents a significant evolution of 5G. 5GA introduces enhanced capabilities such as improved uplink performance, AI-native networks and support for advanced use cases like industrial automation and immersive services. These advancements will enable smarter, more adaptive networks, delivering enhanced user experiences and opening new opportunities across various sectors. There are already early commercial implementations, but GSMA anticipates broader adoption in the latter half of the decade. This timeline aligns with the finalisation of 3GPP Release 18 and the maturation of the supporting ecosystem. By addressing these challenges collaboratively, the industry can unlock the full potential of 5GA, driving innovation and delivering substantial benefits to consumers and enterprises alike.
How do you see convergence between terrestrial 6G and space broadband services? What are the collaboration opportunities between the two?
Our current focus remains on realising the full potential of 5G and 5GA. Part of that is working to support the convergence of existing terrestrial networks with non-terrestrial network technologies to deliver connectivity in under-served areas, for mobile users and for industrial applications such as IoT.
How do you see the role of India in 6G technology as the standardization process moves toward maturity. How many 6G patents have been filed so far globally and what is the share of Asian countries including India?
India is playing an increasingly active and strategic role in early 6G discussions - particularly through initiatives like the
Bharat 6G Alliance
and its engagement with international standard-setting bodies. These contributions are vital to ensuring that the next generation of mobile technology reflects global diversity and supports broader development goals. At the GSMA, our focus remains on ensuring that the evolution of mobile communications is inclusive, collaborative, and informed by the successes and lessons of previous generations. While various organisations monitor patent activity, our priority is to support global coordination that leads to interoperable, secure, and future-ready networks.
In a few countries including the US, spectrum in the 7.125 – 8.400 GHz band is identified as 6G-led future connectivity. Your views on governments readiness across geographies?
We are still in the early stages of defining what 6G will be, and commercial deployments are many years away. At this point, the most important priority is to ensure that governments and regulators remain engaged in international coordination to avoid fragmentation. Some countries have started exploring future spectrum needs, but overall readiness varies. What's clear is that the lessons from 5G should guide us: early planning, global harmonisation, and investment-friendly policies will be key to delivering the next generation of mobile technology effectively. For now, the focus should remain on fully realising the potential of 5G and 5G-Advanced, which are already transforming connectivity and services across the world.
Last year, ITU formed a subsea cable protection group on the backdrop of rising threats out of geopolitical tensions. What are GSMA efforts in this direction?
Subsea cables are fundamental to global digital infrastructure, including mobile networks, and their protection is increasingly important as geopolitical and environmental risks grow. We strongly support international collaboration to safeguard all layers of connectivity infrastructure. Our focus is on promoting resilient, secure mobile networks and working with governments, operators, and international bodies to ensure that policies reflect the need for long-term infrastructure integrity. The more connected our world becomes, the more essential it is to treat digital resilience as a shared global priority.
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